BUGA Community

BusyKiwi - you beauty, i'll give that a go. after reading your post it sort of dawned on me (being a bit of a tight arse at times) that I can give it a go to save it, not sure how good that front lower stone guard will reshape - it's fairly crumpled but..... try I will,  and if it doesn't work out that well I can look for parts and then do a cut and replace type effort. Have over the years ended up with gear from my dad and am reasonably well kitted for any job, so that part of the journey can begin soon 

rumax - i'll look into what needs replacing and use your tips of where to source, I've not looked but guess you have a listing somewhere? let me know when you read this pls, and as you and Warren have mentioned I will get it running with the 173 and 3 spd box to see what shape it's actually in. It is starting up but awfully crook, not in the engine I don't think, but more fuel or spark. Id did drive up the trailer ramps but with bit of boot and need to slip the clutch.

Warren - good onya for the words as you have two setups yourself, yep I'll get this running first to feel it out. As in my intro I am planning/dreaming to have the back set up for slide in modules - 1 as tool and equip for my building-renovation needs and 2 as a cruising/road trip and basic sleep fit out. That may see me want a bit more eng go from a 202 and 4/5 spd box.
Is the diff just a standard banjo like in hq's etc??? - I think I can put my hands on one, a 3.35 for $150 (I think that's what it is)

Dano - I get your point I reckon - from all the stories of project cars I've heard about, not just BUGA, is the same background of time and money. It seems if you have more money you need less time or as as normal and me included - with less money you need more time 
trivia BTW  just so's ya gets to know me that little more - Rene' with only one "e" at the end and should have a little accent or acute ' above the last "e" is the french for the letter "a" and used for dudes; girls are normally spelt Renee or Renea. But glad you cover your bases and not guessed me as a girl 

thanks to all, this is a great place and support network for beddy lovers with the same interest - well done to everyone on board and look forward to the day I know enough to share as well, that'll be cool 

I saw one last weeks in Albury and left a note on it to say howdy, he called me and said he was selling his so I can follow that up with you if you like. Has been partly done, camper sort of in back with pop up, 302 cleveland, big gas tank inside and other stuff he said. From memory he's asking 8K for now.

Let me know if your interested to get in touch with him.

howdy erics8 - thanks; and rumax cheers, am ok with most weld techniques but the light sheet metal will keep me on my toes! and yeh like the engine config you suggest but need to look at the whole project and see if that's in the budget from the beginning.

this link is to my gallery that shows the van inside and out, boy howdy I'll be happy when it looks different 

http://www.buga.com.au/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=8&g2_itemId=46701

Yes Sammy, it's fairly solid. Haven't gone over it with a looking glass yet but the only rust seems to be what I see as just beginning in the gutters and that is mostly surface looking rust I think.

Thx Gordon. I'll do some pics tomoz and list the features of this project. Cheers